Electronics and DCC

Hi everyone,

I am fairly new to DCC but have been trying to change the address of my new Tower 55 ES44AC. It works fine out of the box at address 3 with my NCE PowerHoue Pro system but when I try and change the loco address it does not work properly. If I change the address to the loco number (5506) then the lights work on address 5506 but the motor/sound still work on Address 3! I have tried programming on the main and on the programming track but get the same results. Also it does not seem to reset if you put 08 into CV8.

Has anyone had similar problems, and how did you program the address to get it to work?

Thanks

Paul

Something is definitely amiss.  I have two of those engines and the NCE PowerPro Wireless system, and they programmed perfectly on the first try using Ops Mode.  They even consisted perfectly, turning off the bell, horn, and headlight on the second unit with no problems.

Make sure to go through the "configuration" steps after changing the address.

What power supply are you using with your NCE system?  I have 5 Amp power supplies.  If you have anything less, that may be the problem.

Paul,

Take a look at the box your loco came in. On the end of the box with the label, there should be a red circular sticker with some initials in the circle. I had some problems programming my first T55 unit and when I called them, they had me check the end of the box. Turns out, the unit I was having problems with needed a firmware upgrade that made it more compatible with NCE programming. I sent the unit in, they upgraded the firmware and I've had no troubles since.....it wouldn't hurt to check.

Don Z.

Thanks for the replies. The box has a red sticker with a 3 in so I guess it is version 3 firmware. I do not want to send it back for a firmware upgrade if I can help it as I am in the UK and I don't want to loose or damage the loco in transit. The power supply is a Lenz 5 Amp unit so it should be okay.

What ather DCC systems have people used with no problems, maybe I can get the address changed on a friends system?

Thanks

Paul

Paul,

I couldn't program mine on the programming track until I purchased the PowerPax booster. I could program on the main but I prefer to use the programming track.

http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/powerpax.htm

Don Z.

  Hi Paul

 It should not matter witch DCC system you use to change CVs. Set up your program track first. Then place the loco on the track. Go to program CVs and select CV29. Set CV29 to 34. Then CV17 to 213 and CV18 to 130. Than escape and select loco 5506 should work. If not than the T55 decoder is faulty. I read somewhere about motor contacts being bad in some T55 locos a while back. If the motor is not makeing full contact than the decoder will not program. 

    Good luck

      Pete
 

Thanks Pete,

I tried it but still no luck. Must be one of the ones where the motor is not making full contact with the decoder. I will have to use the default address.

Thanks for your help

Paul

Try it again in accordance with the procedures outlined beginning on page 41 of the Power Pro System Reference Manual, using Operations Programming on the main iinstead of a programming track.

Note that at the first prompt, you are going to be programming a loco with address 3.  Then you change to your new, long address.  After that, go to CV Programming and change CV 29 to a value of 34.

Also check the documentation that came with the locomotive and insure that the decoder is not locked.  If the decoder is locked, you can't program the address or CV 29.

Thanks for your help guys. I finaly solved the problem by asking a friend to program it with his Prodigy Advance system. He managed to do it on the main with that. Maybe the Prodigy system has more power.

 Now I can buy another one

Thanks
Paul

In OPs mode, set CV 29 to be 34.

David B